| Summer may not seem like the time to be thinking | | | | very effective strategy, thought it does depend |
| about Christmas, but it is a great time to get your | | | | somewhat on how extensively you decorate your |
| holiday decorations in order. We'll explain how a few | | | | home at the holidays. If you have one or two |
| hours or days spent organizing right now will pay off | | | | primary rooms that you decorate, this method of |
| when Christmas rolls around. During the warm days | | | | organizing will work well. However, if you have a |
| of summer, Christmas is usually the farthest thing | | | | very large home and you have unique decorations |
| from most people's minds. However, summer may | | | | for every room of the house, you may want to |
| actually be a great time to do some pre-planning and | | | | employ a different method. In this situation, it may |
| organization for the holidays, because we aren't yet | | | | be advantageous for you to store decorations by |
| inundated with parties, gift shopping, family | | | | room of the house. So all the decorations for the |
| gatherings, and the other usual holiday distractions. | | | | kitchen are stored together, items for the foyer go |
| In this article, we'll explain how you can get yourself | | | | in another box, so on and so forth. |
| prepared now so that you'll have more free time to | | | | Regardless of how you group the items, pay careful |
| spend with family and friends when Christmastime | | | | attention to the way you store them. For example, |
| actually rolls around. | | | | try to choose airtight containers whenever possible, |
| Getting organized and prepared for the holidays can | | | | and preferably something that pests cannot get |
| take on many forms. When it comes to little details | | | | into. Holiday decorations of any type, whether its |
| like planning meals or gift shopping, these tasks are | | | | lights, wrapping paper, an artificial tree, or anything |
| best left until closer to the Christmas season. The | | | | else will last longer if they are kept away from |
| best way to spend your holiday organizing energy | | | | extreme hot, cold, and humidity. In general, |
| during the off season is in organizing decorations. | | | | cardboard boxes are the worst type of storage |
| Many of us keep our decorations stuffed into a | | | | container, because they are easily penetrated by |
| variety of boxes or bags, crammed into corners, | | | | pests and dirt, and they wick up moisture easily. |
| closets, and dusty attics. In January, we're usually | | | | Clear plastic totes can work well for storing items, |
| anxious to take decorations down, so it may seem | | | | because they keep things clean and items inside are |
| more convenient to just put it all away, even if it is a | | | | easily identifiable. Another option that might work |
| garbled mess, and deal with everything next | | | | well where space is limited would be special storage |
| November. But in reality, if you take a little time to | | | | bags designed to hold whatever item you're storing: |
| organize your holiday decorations, they will be easier | | | | wreaths, ornaments, an artificial Christmas tree, etc. |
| to find and use when the time comes, making for a | | | | So while you're lazily enjoying the long, hot days of |
| smoother and less stressful holiday season. | | | | summer, take a few hours or even a few days to |
| There are many different ways to arrange seasonal | | | | think toward the holidays. Any time you can |
| storage items; you'll want to choose the one that | | | | dedicate to organizing your holiday decorations is time |
| works best for you. One common organization | | | | well spent, and when Christmas rolls around, you'll be |
| strategy is to categorize your items into groups by | | | | rewarded with more time, less stress, and a |
| type. For example, all the Christmas lights go in one | | | | beautifully decorated and organized holiday season. |
| box, ornaments in another, and so on. This can be a | | | | |